Affinity changes

[nikonbill]

Hello all Affinity users,

Just ahead of the announcement, the website went live Affinity has joined Canva. However the Affinity we know and love is now "free" if you want AI you need to pay extra (something many Affinity users do not apply for). I have downloaded it and installed it. The new software does not affect V2.6.5 (the latest) it still works fine. The new version is V3 and my very quick look around is an upgrade. The moved a few things around but not too much.

If anyone is interested put "affinity.studio" in your browser (no quotes) and follow the buttons to "get Affinity" the account creation is very mild getting only your valid email.

This one is interesting for sure, hope this helps the curious - Bill

 

[nikonbill]

Additional initial observations:
1- I was able to import my macro's from V2 and all my custom brushes and they all seem to work.

2- Its been a while since I used V1 but the changes of placement (where things I'm used to are) seem like a normal version change (It is this is V3). Take your time and don't get frustrated, it looks like a lot of gain with little "loss".

3- I'm able to open any Affinity file (.afphot) I have saved -- note if you just "save" after loading in V3 that file will only open in V3 if you save as you can maintain the original and it will still open in V2

4- In the windows right click menu in windows explorer it ads the new Affinity and your old V2 will be there also so you can get used to things slowly.

 

[hark]

It's my understanding that files from versions 1 & 2 work fine in the new version, but files from the new version aren't backwards compatible. Image trace is a new added feature but doesn't offer too many setting options.

 

[nikonbill]

It's my understanding that files from versions 1 & 2 work fine in the new version, but files from the new version aren't backwards compatible.

Yes that seems to be the case, and I can verify this behavior

Image trace is a new added feature but doesn't offer too many setting options.

I'm not familiar with Image trace, they have combined the graphics tools all in one program. These used to cost extra and I had not had them before lots to get used to.

I found an odd bug (I think it is a bug) where a user created signature brush (watermark) turns off the color selector when you change it. I have a black one and a white one when you move from one to the other or from another brush it turns off color and you have to toggle it back. V2 did not do this. I better go to bed I have been playing a while

 

[blackstar]

Yes that seems to be the case, and I can verify this behavior

I'm not familiar with Image trace, they have combined the graphics tools all in one program. These used to cost extra and I had not had them before lots to get used to.

I found an odd bug (I think it is a bug) where a user created signature brush (watermark) turns off the color selector when you change it. I have a black one and a white one when you move from one to the other or from another brush it turns off color and you have to toggle it back. V2 did not do this. I better go to bed I have been playing a while

When you wake up, give us more information and your experience with the new AF. Thanks

 

[nikonbill]

@blackstar Good morning

The 12 hour review (ment to be funny) is I would certainly give the program a try.

So far the export module is the most different working (seems to do everything the same) in function. My V2 macros did not work with the export module (you can easily make new ones).

IMO canva is banking folks will want AI add ons, this is where you would spend money. I do use AI(sometimes I use Topaz so I'm not an AI hater) so I will check later on how canva stacks up to Topaz and if they are cheaper. The cool thing at the moment is V3 is not a gutted program. It's the amazing Affinity I've been using for 5 years but improved substantialy.

So far plugins work the same and function is very similar so much so I think the videos made for V2 would guide you if you were new to Affinity.

When you install the program you can choose the .exe file and not the newer .msix install - the difference is the .exe is easily linked to other photo software. I do the .exe version. The real difference in function is when there is an update .msix is updateable inside the program. With the .exe you download the new file and "run" it and it updates the old version. Not a big deal to me and allows saving of installers allowing roll back if ever needed.

One disclaimer - I tend to take to new stuff with more understanding than most (placement of menus and how things function) so others may see the changes as "bad" I like to move forward and change is the only way forward.

For reference I have the latest GIMP/Rawtherapee software and try to keep up with that to "learn" that work has always helped me understand Affinity better.

I can do screen shots if anyone needs of old and new. The cool thing to me is it does not mess up anything you have so give it a drive and see what you think.

I hope this is what you were looking for, I will try to include more as I learn more.

 

[nikonbill]

Here are screen shots for comparison (keep in mind I am still working on setup) of note there is not the "same" GUI lighter toggle the shot of V3 is system default - V2 I ran in this lighter mode. Another interesting note is both V3 and V2 were running at the same time to make the screen shots.

Reference note: I opened an already processed .jpeg for these shots

Icon's

V2

V3

 

[nikonbill]

I have just spend a long session working on personal calendar photos with V3 - I had some saved files with V2 to compare the same RAW files. For this "test" I just started over with the same RAW file then compared the final product. To my eyes the sharpening effects are slightly better using the same tools and methods.

Also of note the "openCL" was enabled at install, in V2 this would cause program freeze-up to the point the computer literately locked up. A hard power cycle was the only way out, those of us having this problem simply disabled "openCL acceleration" the program seemed to work fine that way. I have run long enough to believe this problem is behind me. My video card is modest Nvidia RTX4060 and I do keep my studio driver up to date, I had retried openCL just several weeks back in V2 and it ran a little longer but still locked up eventually.

The color space oddity I noted earlier could just be something related to the integration of the graphics modulus to the program. I noticed the same I will call it forced color selection when using some other tools that involved "text". It is something I am easily adjusting to.

So far a very notable improvement in many areas, fingers crossed

I am hopeful these notes are helping my fellow Nikonites

 

[nikonbill]

Image trace is a new added feature but doesn't offer too many setting options.

@hark -- There is a tutorial on the new forum site showing the trace tool in action, its pretty cool for artwork

The new Affinity forum is now at discord on its own channel, It will be useful but a warning from an older person its very "modernly" social. I tend to just laugh at the nuttiness, and wade through to something useful